Born & Bread Bakehouse — Restaurant in Lakeland

At long last, I graced the halls of Born & Bread Bakehouse in Lakeland, Florida—a spot so legendary in local lore, I half-expected it to be guarded by cinnamon roll-slinging centaurs and croissant-wielding knights.

Let me set the scene: you walk in and the scent alone could knock a grown man to his knees. It’s like stepping into a warm gluten hug. The air is thick with the seductive perfume of caramelized dreams and melted butter. One whiff, and I was ready to leave my job, my family, and possibly my cholesterol meds behind.

The display case? A divine dream. Rows of pastries gleam like golden idols, whispering sweet nothings: “Pick me,” “No, me,” “I’m filled with cheese!” Their menu rotates with genius—one moment you’re eyeing a peanut croissant, the next, a Danish that looks like it just graduated from Juilliard. Choosing was like trying to pick a favorite child… if your children were flaky, gooey, and stuffed with ooey gooey goodness.

The Bites: • The sausage and egg biscuit was a breakfast sandwich so buttery it could slide straight into your DMs. Layers of flaky biscuit cradling a juicy sausage patty with the love of Southern hospitality. • The ham and egg bagel sandwich? Let’s just say if brunch were a religion, this would be its Pope. • Then came the apple fritter croissant: Pastry perfection—crisp, layered, sticky, and somehow juicy? I don’t know how they made fruit sensual, but they did. • And the coffee cake cheese Danish twist? That was less of a pastry and more of a full-body spiritual event. I saw God. She was holding a rolling pin.

Even their branding is delicious—cheeky bags, crisp boxes, and murals that scream, “Yes, you are about to commit carb-based sin, and it’s worth it.”

In conclusion, Born & Bread isn’t just a bakery. It’s a cathedral of carbs. A temple to taste. A sugar-dusted dream where every bite makes your tongue do backflips and slap your brain awake like, “HEY. PAY ATTENTION. THIS IS HAPPENING.”

10/10. Highly recommend....

It’s so hard to write this but I have to. The quality of the baked goods is amazing and staff is nothing but kind, however I just left there irritated for the last time & an overheated frenchie, a cranky kid and a delayed road trip did not help. The preorder wait gets worse every time and there is no point in pre-ordering if you’re going to wait over 30 minutes for your pre-order unless it’s just to secure a special treat.

I wanted to impress my friends in South Carolina with cruffins so I made a Saturday pick up order on Tuesday for 9 baked goods packed in boxes if possible for the road trip, which I specified in the comment section.

I checked in at 9, at 9:10 was asked if I wanted boxes and to pay extra for them which is no problem. At 9:20 I asked about my order because I had seen at least 5 people behind me get their orders & was told 5 more minutes. At 9:27 I asked again, and was told they don’t know what’s going on. At 9:31 I finally got the order & at this point I saw 11+ people get their orders that were behind me and still didn’t get a reason for the delay. I hate to think this small business just doesn’t care because I’ve been a loyal customer since they started at the farmers market & I realize they are busy because they are popular, which is why I always do a pre-order.

I’m not saying don’t come to this business, but my advice to you is to either just arrive at 7:50am regardless of assigned pick up time based on other reviews for even longer wait times, or be prepared to wait a ridiculously long time. My advice for the business is to prepare these pre-orders ahead of time or reach out to Chik Fil A for ideas on improving pre-order, pick up efficiency.

The wait gets worse every time so for me, I am done which means more baked...

It pains me to do this but I must!! The holiday ordering process is an utter and total mess!! I arrived at 10:45ish for my pre order which was scheduled for 12:50. I inquired of which line I should be in as this is always an issue here with holiday orders. I was directed to the longest line for pastries only, I'm used to that it's always worth it. I am 30 minutes or so and about to the front of the line when another group comes from behind and starts a second line? They were told this line is for pastries and pies? I am here for pastries and a pie as well? It's the holidays, whatever. It's always worth it. DESPITE ME INQUIRING OF SEVERAL STAFF AND THE "ADMINISTRATION" OF MY ORDER AFTER WAITING THE 1ST HOUR, I WAS TOLD REPEATEDLY, WE ARE WORKING TO FIND YOUR ORDER? There is now no pre-order line to check in and it's now 1pm, the "ADMINISTRATION" has advised that they are still trying to locate my order? I left with my $40 apple pie, and returned home. My $30 pre-order.......I did get a call asking if I had received my order? If you have the order, why would you be asking me if I received it. I am quite sure the "ADMINISTRATION" and the three other hard working young ladies know this order, they also know how long I've waited. I requested a refund for the order and was told to email the "ADMINISTRATION" which I will not!! Enjoy the $30 bucks, I will not spend another dime here and can no longer recommend!! We do breakfast here nearly every Wednesday and Saturday,...